Hot ashes from unattended barbecue grill spark fire at Albany home

Smoldering ashes from an unattended charcoal barbecue grill are being blamed for heavily damaging the attic and deck of a two-story home in Albany on Wednesday.

Albany firefighters responded to the blaze at about 2:35 p.m. Wednesday in the 3000 block of Crest Loop Northwest after a passer-by saw the flames and yelled to the owners inside the single-family home.

The residents then called 911.

Firefighters initially found flames coming from the wooden deck and eves of the home when they arrived and discovered the fire had spread to the attic after cutting a hole in the roof.

The people inside the home were able to escape unharmed and two turtles and a bird were among the pets rescued by firefighters.